The 22nd annual University of Michigan/Urban Land Institute Real Estate Forum next month will bring an estimated 200 to 500 real estate professionals from across the state into Grand Rapids. But what they take away may be even more important, planners say.

The forum, traditionally held on the east side of the state, will make its West Michigan debut at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids Oct. 15 and 16. This year's theme is West Side Story: Grand Rapids, Grand Vision, Grand Region.

The planning is going well, said planning committee Chairman Tom Wackerman, president of ASTI Environmental, based in Brighton with an office in Grand Rapids.

"We're getting a great reception from the west side and also from the east side," Wackerman said. "They're eager to learn about the area."

It is still too early to tell how the registration numbers compare to last year's attendance, because online registration has only been open for a few weeks, Wackerman said. He expects most people to register this month after they have received publicity mailings.

He notes the forum has a strong core group of attendees from southeast Michigan that should be attending.

"We're also seeing a whole new group from the west side on top of that, which is great because we get to introduce the group from the east to West Michigan, but we also get to introduce people from West Michigan to our program."

Wednesday's schedule includes two rotations of 55-minute break-out sessions held in individual classrooms. Thursday morning begins with two rotations of 35-minute roundtables.

"These are more intimate sessions," spokeswoman Beverly Lyons said of the roundtables. "There can be as few as eight people to a table. But these are lively discussions. They're very popular."

Organizers have included more out-and-about time for attendees, as well.

For the first time, the forum includes both a walking tour and a bus tour of ongoing projects in Grand Rapids.

Another exciting first for the forum will be the pub crawl in downtown Grand Rapids Wednesday night.

"We wanted to take advantage of the walkable environment, and it's a great networking opportunity," Lyons said.

The forum also will include speakers and three panel discussions.

Don Stypula of Grand Valley Metro Council will moderate the final panel discussion, Regionalism -- The Future of Michigan.

"For as long as anyone can recall, the leaders of Grand Rapids and West Michigan have gone out of their way to collaborate and cooperate to champion the region," Stypula said. "This panel will analyze why the leaders here have concepts like respect, trust, collaboration, cooperation and civic responsibility hardwired into their DNA. The objective is to convey to conference attendees the types of thinking and actions that can help them build a collaborative atmosphere in their neck of the woods."

Lyons said the two-day schedule is finalized, but more details may still be added to the forum's Web site.